1,986 research outputs found
Ericson fluctuations in an open, deterministic quantum system: theory meets experiment
We provide numerically exact photoexcitation cross sections of rubidium
Rydberg states in crossed, static electric and magnetic fields, in quantitative
agreement with recent experimental results. Their spectral backbone underpins a
clear transition towards the Ericson regime.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, 1 tabl
Residual Symmetries in the Spectrum of Periodically Driven Alkali Rydberg States
We identify a fundamental structure in the spectrum of microwave driven
alkali Rydberg states, which highlights the remnants of the Coulomb symmetry in
the presence of a non-hydrogenic core. Core-induced corrections with respect to
the hydrogen spectrum can be accounted for by a perturbative approach.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures, to be published in Europhysics Letter
MicroRNA-24 regulates vascularity after myocardial infarction
BACKGROUND: Myocardial infarction leads to cardiac remodeling and development of heart failure. Insufficient myocardial capillary density after myocardial infarction has been identified as a critical event in this process, although the underlying mechanisms of cardiac angiogenesis are mechanistically not well understood. METHODS AND RESULTS: Here, we show that the small noncoding RNA microRNA-24 (miR-24) is enriched in cardiac endothelial cells and considerably upregulated after cardiac ischemia. MiR-24 induces endothelial cell apoptosis, abolishes endothelial capillary network formation on Matrigel, and inhibits cell sprouting from endothelial spheroids. These effects are mediated through targeting of the endothelium-enriched transcription factor GATA2 and the p21-activated kinase PAK4, which were identified by bioinformatic predictions and validated by luciferase gene reporter assays. Respective downstream signaling cascades involving phosphorylated BAD (Bcl-XL/Bcl-2-associated death promoter) and Sirtuin1 were identified by transcriptome, protein arrays, and chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses. Overexpression of miR-24 or silencing of its targets significantly impaired angiogenesis in zebrafish embryos. Blocking of endothelial miR-24 limited myocardial infarct size of mice via prevention of endothelial apoptosis and enhancement of vascularity, which led to preserved cardiac function and survival. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that miR-24 acts as a critical regulator of endothelial cell apoptosis and angiogenesis and is suitable for therapeutic intervention in the setting of ischemic heart disease. [KEYWORDS: Animals, Apoptosis/drug effects, Arterioles/pathology, Capillaries/pathology, Cell Hypoxia, Cells, Cultured/drug effects/metabolism, Collagen, Drug Combinations, Drug Evaluation, Preclinical, Endothelial Cells/ metabolism/pathology, GATA2 Transcription Factor/biosynthesis/genetics, Gene Expression Profiling, Heart Failure/etiology, Heme Oxygenase-1/biosynthesis/genetics, Laminin, Male, Mice, Mice, Inbred C57BL, MicroRNAs/antagonists & inhibitors/genetics/ physiology, Myocardial Infarc
Absolute frequency measurements of 85Rb nF7/2 Rydberg states using purely optical detection
A three-step laser excitation scheme is used to make absolute frequency
measurements of highly excited nF7/2 Rydberg states in 85Rb for principal
quantum numbers n=33-100. This work demonstrates the first absolute frequency
measurements of rubidium Rydberg levels using a purely optical detection
scheme. The Rydberg states are excited in a heated Rb vapour cell and Doppler
free signals are detected via purely optical means. All of the frequency
measurements are made using a wavemeter which is calibrated against a GPS
disciplined self-referenced optical frequency comb. We find that the measured
levels have a very high frequency stability, and are especially robust to
electric fields. The apparatus has allowed measurements of the states to an
accuracy of 8.0MHz. The new measurements are analysed by extracting the
modified Rydberg-Ritz series parameters.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figures, submitted to New. J. Phy
Co-circulation of a novel phlebovirus and Massilia virus in sandflies, Portugal
Free PMC Article: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmid/26497645/Background: In Portugal, entomological surveys to detect phleboviruses in their natural vectors have not been
performed so far. Thus, the aims of the present study were to detect, isolate and characterize phleboviruses in
sandfly populations of Portugal.
Findings: From May to October 2007–2008, 896 female sandflies were trapped in Arrábida region, located on the
southwest coast of Portugal. Phlebovirus RNA was detected by using a pan-phlebovirus RT-PCR in 4 out of 34
Phlebotomus perniciosus pools. Direct sequencing of the amplicons showed that 2 samples exhibited 72 % nucleotide
identity with Arbia virus, and two showed 96 % nucleotide identity with Massilia virus. The Arbia-like virus (named
Alcube virus) was isolated in cell culture and complete genomic sequences of one Alcube and two Massila viruses
were determined using next-generation sequencing technology. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that Alcube virus
clustered with members of the Salehabad virus species complex. Within this clade, Alcube virus forms a monophyletic
lineage with the Arbia, Salehabad and Adana viruses sharing a common ancestor. Arbia virus has been identified
as the most closely related virus with 20-28 % nucleotide and 10-27 % amino acid divergences depending on the
analysed segment.
Conclusions: We have provided genetic evidence for the circulation of a novel phlebovirus species named
Alcube virus in Ph. perniciosus and co-circulation of Massilia virus, in Arrábida region, southwest of Portugal.
Further epidemiological investigations and surveillance for sandfly-borne phleboviruses in Portugal are needed to
elucidate their medical importance.This work was partially funded by the FCT project “New arboviruses isolated
in Portugal. Risk assessment and public health application" (PTDC/SAU-SAP/119199/2010)
Hundred photon microwave ionization of Rydberg atoms in a static electric field
We present analytical and numerical results for the microwave excitation of
nonhydrogenic atoms in a static electric field when up to 1000 photons are
required to ionize an atom. For small microwave fields, dynamical localization
in photon number leads to exponentially small ionization while above quantum
delocalization border ionization goes in a diffusive way. For alkali atoms in a
static field the ionization border is much lower than in hydrogen due to
internal chaos.Comment: revtex, 4 pages, 5 figure
Activation mechanism of rabbit skeletal muscle myosin light chain kinase 5′-p-Fluorosulfonylbenzoyl adenosine as a probe of the MgATP-binding site of the calmodulin-bound and calmodulin-free enzyme
Abstract5′-p-Fluorosulfonylbenzoyl adenosine (FSBA), an ATP-like affinity labelling reagent, reacted with rabbit skeletal muscle myosin light chain kinase (skMLCK) and its calmodulin complex in a site-specific manner. Reaction was dependent upon the presence of the adenosine moiety of FSBA, saturated with increasing FSBA, was inhibited by MgATP, and was accompanied by stoichiometric incorporation of [14C]FSBA. The kinetic constants describing the reaction were similar for skMLCK and its calmodulin complex: k3= −0.040 min−1 and −0.038 mint-1, and Ki=0.18 mM and 0.40 mM, respectively. It is concluded that the MgATP-binding site on skMLCK remains accessible at all times and maintains a near constant conformation
Absorption spectrum in the wings of the potassium second resonance doublet broadened by helium
We have measured the reduced absorption coefficients occurring in the wings
of the potassium 4S-5P doublet lines at 404.414 nm and at 404.720 nm broadened
by helium gas at pressures of several hundred Torr. At the experimental
temperature of 900 K, we have detected a shoulder-like broadening feature on
the blue wing of the doublet which is relatively flat between 401.8 nm and
402.8 nm and which drops off rapidly for shorter wavelengths, corresponding to
absorption from the X doublet Sigma+ state to the C doublet Sigma+ state of the
K-He quasimolecule. The accurate measurements of the line profiles in the
present work will sharply constrain future calculations of potential energy
surfaces and transition dipole moments correlating to the asymptotes He-K(5p),
He-K(5s), and He-K(3d).Comment: 2 figure
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